Born Dec. 2, he weighed less than 2 pounds and was 16 weeks premature. He was not breathing properly and had a faint heartbeat. The medical staff attempted to resuscitate him, but he did not respond.

The parents, Nicholas Carter, 21, and Shannon Lear, 19, of Dowagiac, decided to hold him until he died. About three hours after birth, he surprisingly gasped for air and was put on a ventilator at his parents' request.